False Evidence Appearing Real
“When you’re scared, admit it! . . . There is no disgrace in admitting you are scared, but there is a disgrace in failing to try. So whether you’re talking to one person, or a thousand, if that strange demon fear, public enemy number one, suddenly steals up on you, and you find yourself too scared for words, remember this simple rule: When you’re scared, admit it!” – from “How I Raised Myself from Failure to Success in Selling.”
Over the years, I’ve found myself faced with fear on many occasions. I remember the first time I had to stand up in front of a large crowd at a festival and welcome everyone for coming. I had no idea how I was going to go up and talk, but I somehow managed!
I remember shortly after starting my first business, attending networking events and everyone going around the room giving their 30-second commercial. The closer they got to me, the tighter fear’s grip became. For years, when I stood up to give my elevator pitch and short presentations, as I stood up, no matter how much I practiced what I was going to say, as I stood up, the words left me.
What amazed me the most is that folks would come up to me afterwards and tell me how much they enjoyed what I said and wanted to know more. I finally learned that others were not seeing all that I was feeling inside – the sweaty palms, fast heart beats, forgetting my words.
What I learned is the definition of fear – False Evidence Appearing Real. I learned just to get up and speak – from the heart, and not from my notes. If I was scared, to just admit it! I’m still a work in progress in this area, and may always be; however, I don’t let the fear get the best of me. I do it anyway and now celebrate the process of following through and not letting my fears get the best of me!
What are your fears and how are you keeping them from controlling you from doing what is needed to grow your business?